Vytorin (Ezetimibe and Simvastatin) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Heart Attack »

Heart attack facts

A heart attack results when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle and heart muscle dies.
The blood clot that causes the heart attack usually forms at the site of rupture of an atherosclerotic, cholesterol plaque on the inner wall of a coronary artery.
The most common symptom of heart attack is chest pain.
The most common complications of a heart attack are heart failure and ventricular fibrillation.
The risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart attack include elevated cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, male gender, and a family history of heart attacks at an early age.
Heart attacks are diagnosed with electrocardiograms and measurement of cardiac enzymes in blood.
Early reopening of blocked coronary arteries reduces the amount of damage to the heart and im...

Read the Heart Attack article »

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Vytorin Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ezetimibe and simvastatin (Vytorin)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ezetimibe (Zetia) or simvastatin (Zocor), or if you have:

liver disease; or
if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before taking ezetimibe and simvastatin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease;
diabetes;
an underactive thyroid;
a muscle disorder; or
if you use steroid medicine or hormones (including birth control pills).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

In rare cases, ezetimibe and simvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use ezetimibe and simvastatin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

It is not known whether ezetimibe and simvastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 10 years old.

How should I take ezetimibe and simvastatin (Vytorin)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Ezetimibe and simvastatin is usually taken once daily in the evening with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

It may take up to 2 weeks of using this medicine before your cholesterol levels improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Your cholesterol will need to be measured with blood tests at regular intervals. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Ezetimibe and simvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store ezetimibe and simvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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